- 1. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/ ARC30104): APRIL 2014 1
| P a g e SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Centre for
Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)
___________________________________________________________________
Foundation in Natural and Built Environments Module: Creative
Thinking Skills [FDES0213/ ARC30104] Prerequisite: None Credit
hours: 4 Instructor: Delliya Zain | [email protected]
Anna Kamelia | TBC Module Synopsis This module will equip students
with theory and techniques that will help them understand the range
of thinking abilities and how enhancing these can result in a
higher quality of design work. Students are encouraged to explore
or broaden their own ideas and thought processes with techniques
such as mind- mapping; expand, twist or synthesize ideas with
techniques such as random association; and translate their ideas
into a tangible form which can be interactive, presentable,
entertaining or a form of visual design statement. They will also
learn techniques to manage and develop ideas in collaborative
efforts or as design teams, in all its advantages. Module Teaching
Objectives The teaching objectives of the module are: 1. To
identify critical thinking and idea generation skills through the
investigation and application of a wide range of thinking skills
and techniques. 2. To understand the modes of thinking commonly
associated with critical thinking (left-brain), creative thinking
(right brain) as well as holistic (whole brain) thinking. 3. To
implement divergent and convergent thinking methods in researching,
developing and presenting ideas and conclusions in the form of
tangible statements. Module Learning Outcomes Upon successful
completion of the module, students will be able to: 1. Apply
practical, critical and creative thinking skills within a variety
of academic assignments 2. Recognize the characteristics of
critical and creative thinking and their applications in students
personal and working lives 3. Identify the importance of expressing
personal opinions as part of academic development and the
systematic journey(s) taken to evolve these statements Modes of
Delivery This is a 3 credit hour module conducted over a period of
18 weeks. The modes of delivery will be in the form of lectures,
tutorials, and self-directed study. The breakdown of the contact
hours for the module is as follows: Lecture: 1 hour/week Tutorial:
3 hours/week Self-study: 3.6 hours/week
2. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/ ARC30104): APRIL 2014 2
| P a g e Office Hours You are encouraged to visit the
instructor/lecturer/tutor concerned for assistance during office
hours. If the office hours do not meet your schedule, notify the
instructor and set appointment times as needed. TIMeS TIMeS will be
used as a communication tool and information portal for students to
access module materials, project briefs, assignments and
announcements 3. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/ ARC30104):
APRIL 2014 3 | P a g e Taylors Graduate Capabilities(TGC) The
teaching and learning approach at Taylors University is focused on
developing the Taylors Graduate Capabilities in its students;
capabilities that encompass the knowledge, cognitive capabilities
and soft skills of our graduates. Discipline Specific Knowledge
TGCs Acquired Through Module Learning Outcomes 1.0 Discipline
Specific Knowledge 1.1 Solid foundational knowledge in relevant
subjects 1-3 1.2 Understand ethical issues in the context of the
field of study Cognitive Capabilities 2.0 Lifelong Learning 2.1
Locate and extract information effectively 2.2 Relate learned
knowledge to everyday life 3.0 Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
3.1 Learn to think critically and creatively 1,2 3.2 Define and
analyse problems to arrive at effective solutions 3 Soft Skills 4.0
Communication Skills 4.1 Communicate appropriately in various
setting and modes 5.0 Interpersonal Skills 5.1 Understand team
dynamics and work with others in a team 6.0 Intrapersonal Skills
6.1 Manage one self and be self-reliant 2 6.2 Reflect on ones
actions and learning. 3 6.3 Embody Taylor's core values. - 7.0
Citizenship and Global Perspectives 7.1 Be aware and form opinions
from diverse perspectives. - 7.2 Understand the value of civic
responsibility and community engagement. - 8.0 Digital Literacy 8.1
Effective use of information and communication (ICT) and related
technologies. - 4. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/ ARC30104):
APRIL 2014 4 | P a g e General Rules and Regulations Late
Submission Penalty The School imposes a late submission penalty for
work submitted late without a valid reason e.g. a medical
certificate. Any work submitted after the deadline (which may have
been extended) shall have the percentage grade assigned to the work
on face value reduced by 10% for the first day and 5% for each
subsequent day late. A weekend counts as 1 day. Individual members
of staff shall be permitted to grant extensions for assessed work
that they have set if they are satisfied that a student has given
good reasons. Absenteeism at intermediate or final presentations
will result in zero mark for that presentation. The Board of
Examiners may overrule any penalty imposed and allow the actual
mark achieved to be used if the late submission was for a good
reason. Attendance, Participation and Submission of Assessment
Components Attendance is compulsory. Any student who arrives late
after the first half-hour of class will be considered as absent. A
minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass the module and/or be
eligible for the final examination. You are expected to attend and
participate actively in class. The lectures and tutorials will
assist you in expanding your ideas and your research progression.
Students will be assessed based on their performance throughout the
semester. Students are expected to attend and participate actively
in class. Class participation is an important component of every
module. Students must attempt all assessment components including
Portfolio. Failure to attempt assessment components worth 20% or
more, the student would be required to resubmit or resit an
assessment component, even though the student has achieved more
than 50% in the overall assessment. Failure to attempt all
assessment components, including final exam and final presentation,
will result in failing the module irrespective of the marks earned,
even though the student has achieved more than 50% in the overall
assessment. Plagiarism (Excerpt from Taylors University Student
Handbook 2013, page 59) Plagiarism, which is an attempt to present
another persons work as your own by not acknowledging the source,
is a serious case of misconduct which is deemed unacceptable by the
University. "Work" includes written materials such as books,
journals and magazine articles or other papers and also includes
films and computer programs. The two most common types of
plagiarism are from published materials and other students works a.
Published Materials In general, whenever anything from someone
elses work is used, whether it is an idea, an opinion or the
results of a study or review, a standard system of referencing
should be used. Examples of plagiarism may include a sentence or
two, or a table or a diagram from a book or an article used without
acknowledgement. Serious cases of plagiarism can be seen in cases
where the entire paper presented by the student is copied from
another book, with an addition of only a sentence or two by the
student. While the former can be treated as a simple failure to
cite references, the latter is likely to be viewed as cheating in
an examination. Though most assignments require the need for
reference to other peoples works, in order to avoid plagiarism,
students should keep a detailed record of the sources of ideas and
findings and ensure that these sources are clearly quoted in their
assignment. Note that plagiarism refers to materials obtained from
the Internet too. b. Other Students Work Circulating relevant
articles and discussing ideas before writing an assignment is a
common practice. However, with the exception of group assignments,
students should write their own papers. Plagiarising the work of
other students into assignments includes using identical or very
similar sentences, paragraphs or sections. When two students submit
papers which are very similar in tone and content, both are likely
to be penalized. 5. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/ ARC30104):
APRIL 2014 5 | P a g e Student Participation Your participation in
the module is encouraged. You have the opportunity to participate
in the following ways: Your ideas and questions are welcomed,
valued and encouraged. Your input is sought to understand your
perspectives, ideas and needs in planning subject revision. You
have opportunities to give feedback and issues will be addressed in
response to that feedback. Do reflect on your performance in
Portfolios. Student evaluation on your views and experiences about
the module are actively sought and used as an integral part of
improvement in teaching and continuous improvement.
Student-centered Learning (SCL) The module uses the
Student-centered Learning (SCL) approach. Utilization of SCL
embodies most of the principles known to improve learning and to
encourage students participation. SCL requires students to be
active, responsible participants in their own learning and
instructors are to facilitate the learning process. Various
teaching and learning strategies such as experiential learning,
problem-based learning, site visits, group discussions,
presentations, working in group and etc. can be employed to
facilitate the learning process. In SCL, students are expected to
be: active in their own learning self-directed to be responsible to
enhance their learning abilities able to cultivate skills that are
useful in todays workplace active knowledge seekers active players
in a teamwork Types of Assessment and Feedback You will be graded
in the form of formative and summative assessments. Formative
assessments will provide information to guide you in the research
process. This form of assessment involves participation in
discussions and feedback sessions. Summative assessment will inform
you about the level of understanding and performance capabilities
achieved at the end of the module. Assessment Plan Assessments Type
Learning outcomes Submission Presentation Assessment Weightage
Project One Group & Individual (20%+10%) 1,2 Week 7 Week 7 30%
Final Project Group & Individual (20%+20%) 1-3 Week 17 Week 16
40% Idea Journal Individual IDJ 1-3 Every 2 Weeks - 20% E-
Portfolio Individual 1-3 Week 18 - 10% TOTAL 100% 6. Creative
Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/ ARC30104): APRIL 2014 6 | P a g e
Assessment Components 1. Project One (Group + Individual) This is
an introduction project exploring creativity which they will need
to extract information from a particular topic/object/movie/song
given to them. They will need to discuss through brainstorming
session on how to translate their idea and research using mind
maps, doodles and story-boards. This video will be in the form of
an Ad Campaign or a Short Movie This project aims for students to
work as a team to generate ideas and allow them to express their
creativity through effective visual communication. 2. Final Project
- (Group + Individual) The aim of the Final Project will be a
review that illustrates the entire topic learned in this module
which will encourage problem solving, critical thinking and
creative thinking through series of exploration, innovation and
creation process. The Final Project will concentrate on the
development of ideas through series of sketches, mind maps and
diagrams in improving the packaging, promotion and branding of an
object. 3. Idea Journal - (Individual) The aim of the idea journal
is as a medium for students to express, record ideas, methods,
techniques and process of generating ideas. Students will also be
given a topic to be placed in the sketch journal as an on- going
ideation process. Mind maps, sketches, scribbles, magazine/paper
cuts are examples of items that will be placed in the Idea Journal.
4. Taylors Graduate Capabilities Portfolio (Online Portfolio)
(Individual) Each student is to develop an e-Portfolio, a web-based
portfolio in the form of a personal academic blog. The e-Portfolio
is developed progressively for all modules taken throughout
Semesters 1 and 2, and MUST PASS THIS COMPONENT. The portfolio must
encapsulate the acquisition of Module Learning Outcome, Programme
Learning Outcomes and Taylors Graduate Capabilities, and showcases
the distinctiveness and identity of the student as a graduate of
the programme. Submission of the E-Portfolio is COMPULSARY. 7.
Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/ ARC30104): APRIL 2014 7 | P a
g e Marks and Grading Table Assessments and grades will be returned
within 2 weeks of your submission. You will be given the grades and
necessary feedback for each submission. The grading system is shown
below: Grade Marks Grade Points Definition Description A 80 100
4.00 Excellent Evidence of original thinking; demonstrated
outstanding capacity to analyze and synthesize; outstanding grasp
of module matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base A- 75 79
3.67 Very Good Evidence of good grasp of module matter; critical
capacity and analytical ability; understanding of relevant issues;
evidence of familiarity with the literature B+ 70 74 3.33 Good
Evidence of grasp of module; critical capacity and analytical
ability, reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence of
familiarity with the literatureB 65 69 3.00 B- 60 64 2.67 Pass
Evidence of some understanding of the module matter; ability to
develop solutions to simple problems; benefitting from his/her
university experience C+ 55 59 2.33 C 50 54 2.00 D+ 47 49 1.67
Marginal Pass Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with
module matter, critical and analytical skills D 44 46 1.33 D- 40 43
1.00 F 0 39 0.00 Fail Insufficient evidence of understanding of the
module matter; weakness in critical and analytical skills; limited
or irrelevant use of the literature WD - - Withdrawn Withdrawn from
a module before census date, typically mid semester F(W) 0 0.00
Fail Withdrawn after census date, typically mid semester IN - -
Incomplete An interim notation given for a module where a student
has not completed certain requirements with valid reason or it is
not possible to finalise the grade by the published deadline P - -
Pass Given for satisfactory completion of practicum AU - - Audit
Given for a module where attendance is for information only without
earning academic credit 8. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/
ARC30104): APRIL 2014 8 | P a g e Weekly Module Schedule Week/Date
Topic Lecture Hour Tutorial Hour Blended Learning W1 Date 2/4
ORIENTATION WEEK 1 3 2 W2 Date 9/4 Lecture 01: Introduction to
Creativity +Course Outline+ E-portfolio Briefing - Ms Delliya
Briefing Project 1 1 3 2 W3 Date 16/4 Lecture 02: Generating
Ideas(6 Thinking Hats, Mind Mapping, Brainstorming) Ms Delliya 1 3
2 W4 Date 23/4 Lecture 03: Creative Process Ms Delliya IDJ 1 Brief
1 3 2 W5 Date 30/4 Lecture 04: Traits of Creative Thinking Ms
Delliya 1 3 2 W6 Date 7/5 Lecture 05: Creativity Through Convergent
and Divergent Thinking Ms Delliya 1 3 2 W7 Date 14/5 PROJECT 1
PRESENTATION *Lecture time replace by performance 1 3 2 Digital
upload of IDJ 1 W8 Date 21/5 Lecture 06: Methods and Techniques Ms
Delliya IDJ 2 Brief | Submission IDJ 1 Briefing Final Project 1 3 2
Digital upload of Project 1 W9 Date 28/5 Lecture 07: Problem
Solving Ms Anne 1 3 2 W10 Date 04/6 Lecture08: The Abilities of a
Critical Thinker Ms Anne Final Project Part 1 Presentation &
Submission 1 3 2 Digital upload of IDJ 2 W11 Date 11/6 Lecture 09:
Approach in Selling Ideas Ms Anne IDJ 3 Brief | Submission IDJ 2 1
3 2 Mid Semester Break 14/6 22/6 W12 Date 25/6 Lecture 10: Creative
People and Design Ms Anne 1 3 2 9. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES
0213/ ARC30104): APRIL 2014 9 | P a g e W13 Date 02/7 Discussion/
Class Activity related to Final Project 1 3 ( On line
discussion/forum) 2 Digital upload of IDJ 3 W14 Date 09/7
Discussion/ Class Activity related to Final Project IDJ 4 Brief |
Submission IDJ 3 1 3 ( On line discussion/forum) 2 W15 Date 16/7
Discussion/ Class Activity related to Final Project 1 3 2 W16 Date
23/7 FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION 1 3 2 HARI RAYA HOLIDAYS 26/7- 3/8
W17 Date 6/8 Self study for students time to prepare the IDJ4
Compilation Eportfolio 1 3 2 W18 Date 13/8 Self study for students
time to prepare the IDJ4 Compilation Eportfolio 1 3 2 Digital
upload of Final Project EXAM WEEK IDJ4- Compilation Submission
E-Portfolio Submission Digital upload of E-portfolio Note: The
Module Schedule above is subject to change at short notice.
References Main References : 1. Buzan, T., Buzan, B., 1996, The
Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's
Untapped Potential, Plume; Reprint Edition. 2. de Bono, Edward,
1994, De Bonos Thinking Course, BBC Books. 3. Fisher, A., 2002,
Critical Thinking: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press. 4.
Michalko, M., 2001, Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative
Genius, Ten Speed Press; New edition 5. Thompson, A., 2003,
Critical Reasoning: a Practical Introduction, Routledge, 2nd
edition. Additional References : 1. Buzan, T., 2001, The Power of
Creative Intelligence, Thorsons. 2. Eastaway, R., 2007, Out of The
Box: 101 Ideas for Thinking Creatively, Duncan Baird Publishers. 3.
Ryan Ruggiero, V., 2009, The Art of Thinking, Longman; 9th Edition.
4. Robinson, Ken, 2001, Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative,
Capstone. 5. Pink, Daniel H, 2005, A Whole New Mind: Why
Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, Riverhead Books 6. Leo, A. M.,
2006, On Creativity, Awakening the Creative Mind, Pelanduk
Publications, Malaysia 10. Creative Thinking Skills (FDES 0213/
ARC30104): APRIL 2014 10 | P a g e
